spotlight

ONLINE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY FOR RESIDENTS OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY

Are you a parent, caregiver, youth or young adult living in Barnstable County? Do you provide services to families, youth and young adults in Barnstable County? This survey is for you!

Barnstable County Department of Human Services is conducting a needs assessment about the behavioral health needs of and related services for children, youth, and young adults (age 0–21 years) in Barnstable County.

As part of the assessment, this survey is being shared with Barnstable County community members who have important perspectives on the behavioral health needs of this group, namely young people; parents, guardians, and caregivers of young people; and those who work with or provider services to young people. Information collected through this survey will help in understanding what services may be needed in the county and guiding future efforts.

This survey is anonymous and voluntary, does not ask for your name or address, and you can stop taking it at any time. It only takes about 15 minutes to complete.

The survey goes live April 11th and will stay open through May 13th. Visit our website at www.capecod.gov/behavioralhealth for a link to complete the survey on or after April 11th.

Questions about the assessment should be directed to mandi.speakman@capecod.gov. If you need technical assistance, please contact aflynn@hria.org and/or larsenault@hria.org.

aging well & healthy living

BOOST YOUR BUDGET WEEK, APRIL 15TH–19TH

Give yourself a boost with benefits!

The cost of living keeps going up – which can be hard if you’re living on a fixed income. April 15-19 is Boost Your Budget Week, the perfect time to see if you qualify for benefits programs that can help you pay for food, medicine, housing, and more. Our BenefitsCheckUp® tool, available in English and Spanish, is free and confidential and will give you a personalized list of benefits to explore. Answer a few short questions and get a list of programs that could help you.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS GUIDE FOR CAREGIVERS

ACCESSING PAXLOVID FOR FREE

The US Government Patient Assistance Program, in partnership with Pfizer, has developed a “Paxcess” program aimed at providing free access to Paxlovid. Enrollment comes with a Paxcess card. Patients, Outreach Coordinators, Caregivers, and pharmacists can enroll patients.

Online enrollment: Visit PAXCESS Patient Support Program (iassist.com)

Phone enrollment: (877) 219-7225 | Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM | Sat & Sun 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Patients who do not carry commercial health insurance but are enrolled in Medicare, MassHealth, TRICARE, VA Community Care Network, and those who are uninsured can access Paxlovid for free through December 31, 2024.

COVID-19, RSV, AND FLU INFORMATION FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Ways to Protect Yourself and Your Family:

• Get vaccinated. The best way to protect yourself and each other from respiratory illnesses like the flu or COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and stay up-to-date on COVID-19, RSV, and flu vaccinations. Vaccination is especially important for older adults.

• Stay home. If you are experiencing any upper respiratory symptoms or if you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 consider staying home. When symptomatic, use a COVID-19 test. If negative, test again 48 hours later.  

• Take a test. Take an at-home COVID-19 test if you are feeling sick or will be around a large group of people especially those who may be immunocompromised. Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests. Check the Expiration Date column of the List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests to see if the expiration date for your at-home COVID-19 test has been extended and how to find any new expiration date. 

• Consider wearing a mask especially in crowded areas in communities where transmission rates are high. 

• Practice diligent hand hygiene and other COVID-19 and flu prevention activities, such as improving ventilation.  

• Consider postponing or not attending a gathering if you have any upper respiratory symptoms or if you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you have been exposed consider taking a COVID-19 test five days after known exposure if not experiencing symptoms. 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUPPORTING LGBT PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA

LGBT adults living with dementia may face a particularly challenging set of circumstances in terms of accessing support. They are more likely to age without a spouse or partner, more likely to live alone and less likely to have children to support them, according to Issues Brief: LGBT and Dementia, a co-publication of the Alzheimer’s Association® and SAGE. In addition, they are more likely to encounter barriers to quality care and support, including discrimination and a lack

of cultural competency among providers.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS INVITED TO ATTEND ORLEANS DIGITAL EQUITY WORKSHOP

The Town of Orleans is working with the Cape Cod Commission to develop a municipal digital equity plan to assess the digital divide across the community and to identify opportunities to advance digital equity. The goal is to better understand the challenges that community members face with the internet and technology and to identify solutions that ensure all have access to the information technology needed to fully participate in our community.

Orleans Digital Equity Community Workshop

April 9, 2024, 5:30 PM–7:30 PM

Orleans Senior Center

150 Rock Harbor Road

Orleans, MA 02653

behavioral health

REGISTER NOW: AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS (AAP) SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ECHO: STRATEGIES FOR CLINICIANS

Calling all clinicians, pediatricians, mental health, and primary care providers! Want to learn more about how to talk to youth and families about social media use during a health visit?

Register now for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Social Media and Youth Mental Health ECHO: Strategies for Clinicians, which will begin April 9, 2024! This 6-session, bi-weekly learning collaborative will discuss social media use by developmental stage. Clinicians will have the opportunity to problem-solve and learn from subject matter experts using short didactic presentations and case-based learning.

Sessions take place on Tuesdays from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST. Specific dates are listed below:

Session 01: 04/09/2024

Session 02: 04/23/2024

Session 03: 05/07/2024

Session 04: 05/21/2024

Session 05: 06/04/2024

Session 06: 06/18/2024

WELLNESS TRAINING PROGRAMS AT CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition has partnered with Cape Cod Community College to offer training programs that provide our communities with the necessary information and tools to raise awareness, educate, and increase action to reduce suicides.

Trainings are as follows:

Youth and Mental Health First Aid: A skills-based training course that helps people identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance use issues in youth.



Date: April 12th, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Location: Martha's Vineyard Community Services, 111 Edgartown Road, Vineyard Haven

Sudden Death Postvention: An organized response after a suicide or other unexpected death has occurred to facilitate healing from grief and distress, mitigate the negative effects of exposure to suicide, and prevent suicide among those who are at high risk.

Date: April 11th from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (in person at 4C's).

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): People trained in Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Date: May 22nd from 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM hybrid (in person at 4Cs and Zoom).

STOP THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER

The End Stigma Subcommittee is a subcommittee of the Mashpee Substance Use Task Force, our goal is to educate the community on the facts about Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder. We have created a "Stop the Stigma" Fact Sheet to help people better understand mental health issues and encourage them to seek recovery support for themselves or loved ones.

housing & homelessness

HABITAT APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP IN DENNIS AND WELLFLEET

Applications Are Available for Affordable Homeownership in Wellfleet and Dennis

Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod has announced that applications are now available, with a deadline of Monday, May 13, 2024, for four 3-bedroom homes that will be built on Jack Delaney Lane (at 401 Setucket Road) in Dennis and four homes (two 2-bedroom and two 3-bedroom) at 2254 Old Kings Hwy, Wellfleet. The homes will be a mixture of ranch and Cape styles.

The maximum household income for the houses is 60% of the area median income for two homes and 80% for two homes at each location. For a four-person household, the current maximum income at 60% is $69,060; at 80%, it is $92,050. These income guidelines are adjusted annually.

The applicant household must be willing to commit 250–500 hours of sweat equity to build the home and have a housing need. The monthly housing payment (mortgage, taxes, insurance, homeowner association) for these homes is estimated to be around $1,062–$1,582, depending on the cost of taxes, insurance, changing interest rates, and other terms.

The deadline for application submission to the Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod office is Monday, May 13, 2024. More information about applying for a Habitat Cape Cod home is available at https://habitatcapecod.org/.

Translation services are available on request.

• Applications are available at:
• Online at the Habitat Cape Cod’s website: https://habitatcapecod.org/
• Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod’s office: 411 Main Street (Route 6A), Suite 6, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
• Dennis Public Library, 5 Hall St. Dennis Port, MA, 02639
• Wellfleet Public Library, 55 West Main St. Wellfleet, MA 02667
• Or call to have a paper application mailed to you: (508) 362-3559 (Habitat Cape Cod office)

Applicants are strongly urged to attend one of the in-person or virtual Zoom Habitat Cape Cod Application/Information Workshops for prospective buyers. Please see the website https://habitatcapecod.org/ for details.

Virtual Workshops

To receive the link for a specific date, send an email request to applications@habitatcapecod.org. Please have the application available to look at during the workshop.

• Thursday 3/21, Noon – 2 PM
• Tuesday 4/2, 6 PM – 8 PM
• Wednesday 4/17, 6 PM – 8 PM
• Friday 4/26, 10 AM – Noon

In-person Workshops

Dennis Public Library, 5 Hall St. Dennis Port, MA 02639

• Saturday 3/23, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Wednesday 3/27, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Wellfleet Public Library, 55 West Main St. Wellfleet, MA 02667

• Wednesday 4/9, 5:30 PM –7:30 PM
• Saturday 5/4, 10:30 PM – 12:30 PM

If you have any questions, please contact Family Programs Manager Mary Ann Mills-Lassiter at maryann@habitatcapecod.org, applications@habitatcapecod.org, or call (508) 362-3559 x21.

Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod is a not-for-profit organization that conducts business in accordance with Federal and Massachusetts Fair Lending Laws.

SCRANTON MAIN APARTMENT LIBRARY

The Falmouth Housing Corporation in partnership with Affirmative Investments Inc, is in the process of developing an age restricted 62+, affordable housing rental property that consists of 47 one-bedroom apartments, and one studio apartment. Please click "learn more" below for information on how to apply for the lottery. The application deadline is April 16, 2024 @ 5:00 PM.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING, DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY AND COMMENT PERIOD: BARNSTABLE COUNTY HOME CONSORTIUM ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2024

The Barnstable County HOME Consortium has prepared its Draft Annual Action Plan for Program Year 2024 (PY24). This plan outlines funding priorities and serves as the strategic and planning documents for Barnstable County’s HOME Program which is funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The HUD allocation for PY24 is anticipated to be approximately $600,000 plus approximately $61,966 in repurposed program income. 

A virtual public meeting on the 2024 draft Annual Action Plan will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 3:00 PM. 

Public Comment will be accepted through May 9, 2024.

Visit the Barnstable County HOME Program website for links to access the public meeting, public notices, the 2024 draft Annual Action Plan, and more information.  

SHINE

LAST CALL FOR SHINE VOLUNTEERS!

SHINE provides unbiased support to Medicare beneficiaries and their families so they can make informed decisions about their care and benefits. Navigating Medicare can be complicated, but SHINE can help by answering questions and providing personalized guidance to those who need it.

You know your community best. That’s why we want your help to support your friends and neighbors as they enroll in Medicare for the first time, review plan options, or troubleshoot problems. Your local SHINE has many volunteer opportunities, both virtually and in-person. Whether it’s conducting one-on-one counseling, speaking to groups, or providing office support, SHINE can find a role that’s just right for you.

As a SHINE volunteer, you can:

• Give back to your community.
• Stay engaged and connected.
• Sharpen and build your skills.
• 
  

“What I am doing now is a good reason for me to get up in the morning. It makes me feel good about myself. It lets me know that I am helping people make their lives better.” –SHINE Volunteer

SHINE screens, trains, and certifies all volunteers as Medicare experts so you don’t need a background in health insurance to get involved. All you need is integrity, a willingness to learn, and a desire to help others.

Applications due by April 19, 2024.

Class begins May 3, 2024.

Please call the Barnstable County SHINE Program Manager, Kristina Whiton-O’Brien 

at (508) 375-6762 and choose option #2 to sign up!

PART D COVERAGE PHASES

The cost of your Medicare Part D-covered drugs may change throughout the year. If you notice that your drug prices have changed, it may be because you are in a different phase of Part D coverage.

There are four different phases—or periods—of Part D coverage:

The deductible period

• The initial coverage period
• The coverage gap
• Catastrophic coverage
• 
  

There will be some 2025 changes to Part D costs and coverage phases.

Beginning in 2025, the structure of Medicare Part D will change. There will be only three coverage phases – the deductible, the initial coverage period, and a zero-cost phase after an out-of-pocket cap is reached. Additionally, your out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs will be limited to $2,000 in deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

Also, starting in 2025, you have the choice to spread out-of-pocket Part D costs over the year. This won’t reduce the total amount owed over the year, but it can allow you to spread the costs over 12 months. For example, you could pay your deductible over the course of the year rather than all at once at the beginning of the year. Whether this type of payment plan will be beneficial will depend on your circumstances and preferences. Remember that these changes are not in effect until 2025.

scams & fraud

WIRED ARTICLE: HOW TO KEEP YOUR LOVED ONES SAFE FROM FINANCIAL SCAMS

The elderly are particularly vulnerable to subscription scams and aggressive tech upselling.

Read this article from Wired to learn how to get your family the services and devices they need.

IMPOSTER SCAMS

Imposter scammers pretend to be from the IRS or Social Security, a business, or a charity.They want you to trust them so they can steal your personal information and money.

An imposter scammer may call, text, or email to convince you they are someone in authority. They may even use caller ID to make it look like they are calling from an official government or business' number. To commit identity theft, they try to get you to send money or a gift card or share personal information.

upcoming community events

SHARING KINDNESS SUICIDE AWARENESS WALK

Join us on Saturday, May 18th, at Veterans Park Beach in Hyannis!

Registration + pre-walk activities begin at 8:30 AM

Opening ceremony + walk begins at 10 AM

NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

DETAILS

When: Saturday, April 6th, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Where: Mashpee Wampanoag Community Center

Dinner Served at 4:00 PM with speakers to follow! Join us for dinner, door prizes, resource tables, speakers, a poster contest, and kids' activities.

PLEASE JOIN A COMMUNITY DIALOGUE: COMBATTING HATE - BUILDING BRDIGES ACROSS THE CAPE

Upper/Mid-Cape:

SUNDAY, April 28, 1:30-3:30pm

Cape Space

100 Independence Drive, Hyannis

Lower/Outer-Cape:

SUNDAY, May 19, 1:30-3:30pm

Cape Cod & Islands Association of Realtors

22 Mid Tech Drive, West Yarmouth, Room A

The nation’s No Place for Hate movement spearheaded by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in 1999 objectives is making community-based positive changes that combat bias, bullying, hatred and unacceptance of any kind. The movement, which includes public schools, has reached over 1600 schools across the country according to the ADL website. The ADL reports that No Place for Hate programs has successfully reduced and in some cases eliminated behaviors of hatred within individual institutions.

FOCUS GROUPS IN SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE

Please share this focus group opportunity with Spanish speaking and Portuguese speaking clients.

Focus Groups in Spanish:

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024. Dennis Public Library - 5 Hall St. Dennis Port, MA 02639 (5:30 PM–7:00 PM)

Wednesday April 10th, 2024. Hyannis Family Resource Center- 29 Bassett Ln Hyannis MA 02601 (5:30 PM–7:00 PM)

Focus Groups in Portuguese:

Thursday April 11th, 2024. Health Ministry – 70 Center St. Hyannis MA 02601 (5:30 PM–7:00 PM)

Dinner and $50 gift cards will be provided to the participants. Our research partners at Tufts University will collect and share data about the experiences and challenges community members may face when seeking community services and resources. Feel free to contact the Tufts team at Emma.Posner@tufts.edu if you have any questions about the focus groups.

employment opportunities

TEEN JOB FAIR ON MAY 9TH

Attention employers of teens! Businesses of any size- especially those located in the Lower Cape (or nearby). In collaboration with the Harwich Community Center on May 9 there will be a Teen Job Fair to help teens find summer jobs. Looking for businesses who 1) hire high school students and 2) would like to come have a table at our Fair.  

The event will be at the Harwich Community Center on Thursday, May 9 from 4:00 PM–8:00 PM. Tables provided and there is no cost to participate. Businesses who sign up are asked to bring information about your business (marketing materials work great!) and applications (or information about how teens can apply). Please plan to have someone there at your table to answer questions and talk with teens looking for jobs.

PAID SUMMER JOBS WITH FOOD 4 KIDS

Are you, or someone you know looking for a flexible summer job? We have 4 open positions, all Mon-Fri with varying hours. Pass on the word! 

Food 4 Kids is an amazing place to work: Competitive wages | Great hours | Mission-based work

SITE MANAGER: Collaborate with our community partners to ensure that free snacks and lunch are distributed to kids and teens from Harwich to Provincetown. Hourly pay starts at $24. Hours range from 1–5 hrs./week in May, and 20-30 hrs./week mid-June through the end of August; 8:30 AM–2:00 PM.

OPERATIONS ASSISTANT: Assist the Operations and Kitchen Managers to ensure meals are prepared and packed for delivery to the community sites efficiently, safely and on time. Hourly pay starts at $18. Hours range from 20 to 40 hours/week; varies from 6:30 AM–2:30 PM.

SITE LIAISON (3): Serve as a Food 4 Kids liaison for one or two of our community partners from Harwich to Provincetown, to deliver and serve free meals according to MA state mandated guidelines. Hourly pay starts at $18. Hours range from 15-20 hours/week; varies from 10 AM–2 PM.

Come be a part of our loving community! https://www.food4kidscapecod.org/ 

COUNCIL ON AGING HYBRID PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR POSITION

The Town of Eastham is a dynamic and innovative municipal organization committed to embracing the future of work. The Council on Aging is seeking a proactive and versatile Hybrid Program Administrator to join our team and lead the coordination of programs that seamlessly integrate both remote and in-person components. As the Hybrid Program Administrator, you will play a pivotal role in planning, organizing, and executing programs that support health, education, social, and recreational programs.

CRISIS LINE MANAGER JOB OPPORTUNITY

Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives? Join our team as a Crisis Line Manager and be at the forefront of providing crucial support to individuals in distress. As a leader in this role, you'll have the opportunity to guide and empower a team of compassionate responders, making a tangible impact on mental health and well-being. Take the next step in your career and become a pivotal force for positive change in our community.

funding opportunities

SERVICE PROVIDER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

For more information visit www.escci.org. Learn more about our current providers here. If you are a current provider, you must submit a new proposal during this period to be considered for renewal. Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands is an Equal Opportunity employer and provider. Women, minority-owned and small businesses are encouraged to apply.

TOWN OF FALMOUTH SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR OPIOID ABATEMENT FUNDS

The Town of Falmouth, acting through the Human Services Department, invites public or private, state and federally recognized nonprofit agencies, or partnerships, and other interested parties to apply for the Town’s Opioid Abatement funds to deliver programs and services that will mitigate the impacts of the Opioid Crisis.

The Town of Falmouth will issue one-year grants of up to $25,000 with an option to renew for up to two additional years. The Town of Falmouth reserves the right to determine if multiyear grants will be issued based on the scope and expected impact of the project and the organization’s history of delivering similar projects.

Additionally, grants of up to $1,000 for smaller projects will be awarded on a rolling basis and will have a separate application reviewed monthly by the Falmouth Commission on Substance Use.

Opioid Abatement funds must be spent in accordance with the State-wide Subdivision Agreement and used solely to supplement and strengthen, not supplant, resources for prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery of opioid use disorder. For a detailed outline of strategies approved for funding please visit https://www.mass.gov/doc/massachusetts-abatement-terms/download.

Organizations and collaborative partnerships selected for funding will enter into a contract with the Town of Falmouth to deliver the programs and services outlined in their application. The contractual start date is expected to be August 1, 2024.

All applications and required forms are available on the Town of Falmouth website http://www.falmouthma.gov/human-services and at the Human Services Office. Applications are due on Friday, May 31st, 2024, by 4:00 PM in the Human Services Office: 744 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02540 or, via email at opioidabatement@falmouthma.gov.

A Zoom Drop-in hour will be offered to answer Applicant questions on Wednesday, April 17th at 3:00 PM. Zoom link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87977868746pwd=F88Pth6UDwdOQJpHjc11xTaMO8YvxC.1

food & community resources

BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL

The 2024 Guide to Local Farms and Food is out!



This guide will connect you with Cape Cod’s farms, farmers markets, food events, local producers, and seafood growers/harvesters. Support local food!

CAPE COD FOOD ACCESS GUIDE SPRING 2024

Service Directory Opportunity

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services’ Network of Care SERVICE DIRECTORY website, is a robust local health and human services directory with resources for individuals, families, and agencies on Cape Cod with public health questions and concerns.

Newsletter Sign-up & Submit

Yes! I'd like to received the Human Services e-newsletter. When you click 'sign me up!' you will have a choice to receive both the Human Services and/or RSAC e-news delivered directly to your inbox.

Submissions will only be accepted using our online submission form. Attachments must be in .PDF FORMAT ONLY please. Posting of articles submitted for this publication is at the discretion of the Department.